1. The Benign Facts About Uterine Fibroids
Don't worry when you hear or read that uterine fibroids are tumors. While fibroids are indeed lumps of tissue and muscles cells which doctors refer to as tumors, they are completely benign. If fact, there is no evidence whatsoever that links uterine fibroids to any form of cancer. Three out of four women who have reached childbearing age have at least one fibroid; however, only a handful will suffer symptoms or ever know it's there. Uterine fibroids are most commonly very small, such as the size of a pea, but in extreme cases can grow up to 8 inches in width.
2. The Subtle Symptoms
While it is not common for uterine fibroids to cause major symptoms, when they become very large they can begin to press against the bladder, causing a sensation of fullness and increasing the need to urinate. Other symptoms may include heavy cramping during your period, pain during sexual intercourse and low back aches. Unfortunately, in extreme cases, fibroids may cause miscarriage or infertility; however, in most instances the fibroids are discovered before symptoms become so severe.
3. Where Fibroids Come From
Scientists have been unable to pinpoint a direct cause of uterine fibroids; however, there are a number of theories that believe they are caused by excessive estrogen and/or genetics. Additionally, women of African decent and those who are overweight have an increased chance of developing fibroids. On a brighter note, women who have given birth seem to have a much lower risk of ever having to deal with fibroids.
4. Finding Uterine Fibroids
In many cases your gynecologist can diagnose uterine fibroids through a standard pelvic exam. To confirm the diagnosis or if you have symptoms but the pelvic exam does not reveal the fibroids, your doctor may use an ultrasound, x-ray or MRI to find the culprit. In extreme cases, your doctor can insert cameras, either through laparoscopy or through direct insertion into the vagina, to view the fibroid on a screen.
5. Treatment Time
If you have mild or no symptoms, your doctor may not recommend a treatment, or simply subscribe a common pain killer. If you would like to have children and the fibroids are considered a complication or if you are experiencing severe symptoms, there are a number of treatment options. The most common treatment is a prescribed antihormonal agents which slows and even shrinks the growths. In extreme cases in which antihormonal medications to not work, various types of surgery are used to remove either just the fibroids themselves or the entire uterus.
